Legal notice sent to Aarong over charging customers for shopping bags

A Supreme Court lawyer has served a legal notice on lifestyle brand Aarong demanding that it stop charging customers extra money for shopping bags after purchases.

The notice was sent today (15 March) by lawyer Saddam Hossain Ovi.

The legal notice was sent by registered mail to the commerce secretary, the director general of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, and the managing director of Aarong, sources said.

According to the notice, if necessary steps are not taken within 15 days of receiving the notice, a writ petition will be filed in the High Court Division of the Supreme Court in the public interest.

In the notice, Ovi stated that since 1 September 2025, Aarong has been charging customers additional money for shopping bags instead of providing them free of cost after purchases, which he claimed is contrary to the laws of Bangladesh.

He said no other business establishments in the country are engaged in such a practice. However, for the past few months, customers have allegedly been forced to pay extra for bags after purchasing products from various Aarong outlets.

As a result, many customers have been seen carrying clothes by hand, sparking criticism on social media.

The lawyer further said Aarong's action is causing financial and psychological inconvenience to consumers and violates standards of business ethics.

He also warned that other brands in Bangladesh may be encouraged to charge customers extra for shopping bags if the practice continues.

The notice called for immediate steps to stop charging customers extra for shopping bags.

It also urged the Consumer Rights Directorate to investigate the matter and take necessary legal action against those responsible.